On reading, in a newspaper, the Death of J McLeod, Esq Brother to a Young Lady

On reading in a Newspaper the death of J-- Mc Esq. brother to
Miss Isabella Mc-- a particular friend of the Author's. ----

Sad thy tale, thou idle page,
And rueful thy alarms;
Death tears the brother of her love
From Isabella's arms. ----

Sweetly deckt with pearly dew
The morning rose may blow;
But cold, successive, noontide blasts
May lay its beauties low. ----

Fair on Isabella's morn
The sun propitious smil'd;
But long ere noon, succeeding clouds
Succeeding hopes beguil'd. ----

Heaven Fate oft tears the bosom chords
That Nature finest strung:
So Isabella's heart was form'd,
And so her heart was wrung. ----

Were it in the Poet's power,
Strong as he shares the grief
That pierces Isabella's heart,
To give that heart relief!

Dread Omnipotence alone
Can heal the wound he gave;
Can point the grief-worn, brimful eyes
To scenes beyond the grave. ----

Virtue's blossoms there shall blow,
And fear no withering blast:
There Isabella's spotless worth
Shall happy be at last. ----
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